§ Dr. MurrisonTo ask the Deputy Prime Minister what assessment he has made of the navigability of rights of way; and what measures he plans to improve it. [175263]
§ Alun MichaelI have been asked to reply.
The Countryside Agency rights of way condition survey in England in 2000, found between 87 and 89 per cent. of routes "usable" by walkers, cyclists and horse riders. In addition, the statutory "best value" performance management framework requires local highway authorities to measure the ease of use of their 1772W rights of way, by carrying out annual surveys and reporting against their rights of way performance indicator.
The Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 requires local highway authorities to prepare rights of way improvement plans. These plans encourage highway authorities to take a strategic look at their rights of way network, with a view to accommodating modern patterns of demand and use and providing better for the needs of users. The Government have provided additional funding to enable the preparation of these plans.